Implementation of national drug strategy

The Dorset DAAT is responsible for local implementation of the national government 10 year drug strategy Drugs: protecting families and communities (The 2008 drug strategy) (opens in a new window)

The strategy focuses on four key areas:

• Protecting communities through robust enforcement to tackle drug supply, drug related crime and anti-social behaviour
• Preventing harm to children, young people and families affected by drug misuse
• Delivering new approaches to drug treatment and social re-integration
• Public information campaigns, communications and community engagement

Implementation of national alcohol harm reduction strategy

In June 2007, the Department of Health and the Home Office jointly launched an updated government alcohol strategy Safe. Sensible. Social. The Government's Alcohol Strategy (opens in a new window) setting out clear goals and actions to promote sensible drinking and reduce the harm that alcohol can cause.

The strategy sets out to: minimise the health harms, violence and antisocial behaviour associated with alcohol, while ensuring that people are able to enjoy alcohol safely and responsibly.

It specifically focuses on the minority of drinkers who cause the most harm to themselves, their communities and their families. They are:

• Young people under 18 who drink alcohol, many of whom are drinking more than young people did a decade ago
• 18-24-year-old binge drinkers, a minority of whom are responsible for the majority of alcohol-related crime and disorder
• Harmful drinkers, many of whom do not realise that their pattern of drinking is causing harm to their health

NHS Dorset have led on the partnership's development of the Dorset Harm Reduction Alcohol Strategy (opens in a new window) which has recently been launched.

Commissioning of local drug and alcohol services

The DAAT is responsible for the identification of needs in its communities in relation to drug and alcohol use and through its joint commissioning arrangements with its partners, oversees the procurement and purchasing of services to help meet these needs.

DAAT strategic, commissioning and working groups

The DAAT is the collective partnership made up of representatives from local authorities, NHS, Dorset Police, National Probation Service, HM Prison Service, charitable and voluntary sectors and Dorset Service User Forum.

The strategic direction of the partnership is led by the DAAT Board.

The DAAT's commissioning activities are carried out through the DAAT Adult Substance Use and in partnership with Children's Services through the Young People's Substance Use Joint Commissioning Groups.

A range of other subgroups and other meetings attended by DAAT Officers also support the work of the DAAT and further details can be obtained from the Drug and Alcohol Action Team Co-ordinators (see below).

The DAAT partnership is supported by a dedicated team of DAAT Officers together with Community Safety colleagues based within Dorset County Council who act as the first point of contact for strategic and commissioning enquiries.

• Drug and Alcohol Action Team Co-ordinator
  Name: Mr Lee Bayliss
  Email: l.bayliss@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 224100
  Fax: 01305 224297
  Full details for Mr Lee Bayliss
• Drug and Alcohol Action Team Co-ordinator
  Name: Mr Andy Vickers
  Email: a.vickers@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 224100
  Fax: 01305 224297
  Full details for Mr Andy Vickers